How I Made Over a Woman with Multiple Sclerosis, PCOS, Fibro

When our bodies and faces change from illness and treatment, one of the first things to go is self-esteem. As the woman I interviewed and madeover last weekend told me, it’s a vicious cycle: First, you change. Then, you stop fixing yourself. After you let yourself ago, you change even more and one day you don’t recognize yourself. Because I know how hard it is when illness changes you, I want to makeover women with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic illnesses. Two weeks ago I conducted my first makeover with a woman named Lou who has Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Sleep Apnea, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (yay, we’re cysters!), and other illnesses. She is on fourteen medications. As one would expect, she has changed a lot over twenty years of illness.

How We Did It–Operation Makeover

First, I conducted a brief “pre-makeover interview,” asking her about her illnesses, pain, meds, and what she wanted out of this whole experience. She said “confidence.” Then, we got her haircut at Ulta’s Beauty Salon using points I accumulated as a rewards member. Afterwards, we went shopping and found some nice clothes on sale including flattering Levi’s Curvy Fit jeans for $15 at Marshalls! Third, we bought makeup at Ulta, Sephora, and Nordstrom. Finally, we capped the day off with me doing her makeup and attending a party where friends go to see her new look. Whew! We did it all in one day!

Beauty Doesn’t Have to Break Your Bank

Using coupons, freebies, and sales I saved us over $70 worth of makeup–the final price tag on the makeup was $100. In addition to the $50 spent on her wardrobe, the whole makeover was cost about $160.00.

Reality TV

So I filmed everything. Sometimes I was in front of the camera especially during the pre-makeover interview and makeup tutorial. Other times I was behind the camera filming like the haircut and eyebrow session. We have the interviews, haircut, eyebrow work, makeup tutorial, and friends’ reactions all on camera! As someone who is new to iMovie, I ask for your patience as I cut all of these clips. I hope to upload them in a few weeks.

Ta-Da! The Final Product

Here is a before and after comparison of Lou’s look.

Makeover of Woman with MS, PCOS, Fibro, Sleep Apnea

Stay tuned! I will be uploading more articles about the look–where to buy the clothes, where to get the makeup, and more importantly, how to apply it! Don’t miss out on key beauty tips that help you deal with things like:

Dressing for weight gain

Making makeup last all day

Looking feel confident

Saving money while looking stylish

“Beefing Up” Sparse (Super Light) Eyebrows

Applying makeup when Prednisone (steroids), illness, and aging has made your face bigger

Your Turn?

What questions about clothes and makeup would you like me to answer in the next few posts?

–Your Stylist, Jessica Gimeno

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JessicaGimeno

Hi there! I am a patient advocate, writer, and public speaker most well known for my TEDx Talk, “How to Get Stuff Done When You Are Depressed.” As someone who is juggling 5 illnesses: bipolar 2, myasthenia gravis, endometriosis, psoriasis, and asthma, I’m passionate about helping people who navigate life with both chronic physical & emotional pain. If you’re interested in hiring me to speak at your event, check out the CONTACT tab.

2 thoughts on “How I Made Over a Woman with Multiple Sclerosis, PCOS, Fibro”

Wish you lived in my area. I have very, very thin hair (which got thinner thanks to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism last month, which had nothing to do w/ my surgery, just another “inconvenience”) but b/c of other complications I won’t be able to get my very short hair (which was way past due for a color, highlights, lowlights, cut) already, until April! And I’ve bought abt 30 bras online in past year and had to return all…nothing is working. I’m bedridden as is, but this is like, no moving in bed due to weakness. How I wish I had someone to pick out some clothes for just all the darn doctors appointments I need to go to. I tell myself I’m old, but really, that doesn’t really work!

Keep up the good work Jessica. You have certainly found your niche! xx